Did You Know?

Over 500 million cell phones may be sitting forgotten in sock drawers and under beds, leaking harmful chemicals and wasting away because people are not using the many cell phone recycling and donation programs available. Only one in 12 cell phones that is purchased brand new in the United States is recycled. Every year there are 120 million cell phones sold in the United States. This means that over 100 million cell phones are disposed of every year without recycling them. You may be able to benefit yourself as well as someone else by using a cell phone recycling or donation program.

What Cell Phone Recycling Options Do You Have?

First and foremost, ask the company that you are purchasing from if they have a cell phone recycling plan. Different carriers may offer incentives to new customers who recycle their old phones when they join. If your phone company does not take back or buy back old cell phones, there are many online sites that buy old cell phones for cell phone recycling. Search for your particular make and model to find out how much it is worth. Online companies will give you cell phone recycling information on how to mail it back and may even offer free shipping. Double check with the company, since cell phone recycling often does not include damaged or broken phones. Many charitable and nonprofit organizations offer cell phone recycling programs, which means your donated phone will help someone else (either directly or indirectly) and can be noted as a tax-deductible donation.

How Does Cell Phone Recycling Help?

• Cell phone recycling reduces waste

• Phones can be sold to countries whose citizens are not as wealthy.

• Many replacement phones and pre-paid cell phones are actually recycled phones that have been sold and refurbished.

• They can be used as emergency phones for victims of domestic violence.

As we recycle things like cell phones, computers, newspapers, glass bottles, etc. we are doing the little things that may some day add up to a cleaner and less polluted planet in our future.

Margarette Tustle writes helpful information and ideas for the home and family. Find more information about recycling at dailyrecycle.com

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